BOLTON West MP Chris Green met with survivors of the Holocaust at a special event in Parliament to mark the launch of Holocaust Memorial Day.

The MP listened to John Hajdu who survived the Holocaust in Hungary and met Susan Pollack MBE and Lily Ebert BEM, both of whom survived the Nazi death camp, Auschwitz, at the special Parliamentary event.

Holocaust Memorial Day is commemorated each year on January 27 – the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death and concentration camp.

The day provides an opportunity for everyone to learn lessons from the Holocaust, Nazi persecution and subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

The theme for 2017’s Holocaust Memorial Day is ‘How can life go on?’

During the event, Mr Hajdu spoke about his experience of being forced to live in a Budapest ghetto at the age of seven but managing to survive, only to escape the subsequent Communist regime in Hungary in 1956.

He recalled his long journey as a refugee with his mother which saw them settle in Great Britain – a distant country where neither spoke English. With determination, he made the country home and whilst sharing his experiences, he encouraged MPs and invited guests to mark the theme of HMD 2017: How can life go on?

Mr Green said: “John, Lily and Susan’s stories are a reminder of the importance of marking Holocaust Memorial Day – a day where we remember the millions who were affected by the Holocaust and subsequent genocides. It’s important that we continue to remember all those affected by genocide and I want to encourage people in Bolton West to mark Holocaust Memorial Day this month.”

Olivia Marks-Woldman, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, said: “We were delighted that Chris showed his support for Holocaust Memorial Day. We hope that many more people in Bolton will use the free resources available through our website to organise activities for next year’s HMD – adding to the record 5,590 activities which took place for HMD 2016.”

In Bolton, a special event will take place to mark Holocaust Memorial Day at the Bolton University Technical College in Deane Road from 1.30pm onwards.

Schools, faith groups and politicians will all contribute on the day.